Commemorating 9/11 in the Classroom
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Social Education 75(4), pp 182–183 ©2011 National Council for the Social Studies Commemorating 9/11 in the Classroom he National September 11 Memorial & Museum will The reflecting pools are set in the location of the original be officially dedicated this September on the 10th towers and are surrounded by a field of more than 400 T anniversary of the attacks of 2001. The memorial is trees, in a design intended to symbolize hope and renewal located at the site of the former World Trade Center complex and aimed at making the plaza one of the most eco-friendly in Manhattan and its dedication will take place on September in existence. The 9/11 Memorial Museum, to be opened in 11, 2011, in a ceremony for the families of those killed at the the fall of 2012, will house a range of artifacts, photographs, World Trade Center site, in a field in Pennsylvania, and at audio and video tapes, memorabilia, and much more. the Pentagon, as well as the six people killed in the World For educators interested in teaching ideas and lesson plans Trade Center bombing in 1993. The memorial will open to that explore the attacks of September 11, the memorial offers the general public the following day. resources for teachers through its website at www.911memorial. The 9/11 memorial features two tremendous waterfalls and org/ (click on Teach & Learn). The institution plans to expand reflecting pools that are an acre in size, and are encircled by its educational resources with contributions from teachers bronze panels that feature the names of all those who died. in New York and New Jersey. The lesson plans immediately avail- to 9/11. In the days after the attacks, a Other discussion questions include, How able are: fiberglass replica of the Statue of Liberty do we personalize a symbol’s meaning mysteriously appeared outside the station through tribute art? And, What moti- The Spirit of Volunteerism of a firehouse that had lost 15 men at the vates people to create memorials after www.911memorial.org/spirit-volunteerism, World Trade Center. In the coming days, a tragedy? The activity asks students to explores the themes of service and vol- weeks, and months, that statue became pick a symbol representing patriotism, unteerism that permeated the events of the site of countless individual contribu- tolerance, or peace and express artisti- September 11, 2001, and its aftermath. tions—cards, postcards, miniature flags, cally what it means to them. Countless individuals took tremendous photos, badges, and scores of additional risks to help others. This spirit of service mementos—as others sought a venue for Other Resources: inspired others around the world to be their grief and a path for healing. This 9/11 FAQ, www.911memorial.org/ involved in any way they could. This les- lesson includes a downloadable poster of faqabout911, provides basic information son includes an eight-minute film titled the fiberglass replica and explores how about the World Trade Center and the “The Spirit of Volunteerism: 9/11 and art serves as a vehicle for expressions of Twin Towers, the attacks, the perpetra- Beyond.” grief, recovery, healing and rebuilding, tors and broader context of al Qaeda’s and how it fosters community building Islamist extremism, and the rebuilding Tribute Art and 9/11 and personal growth. of the World Trade Center site. www.911memorial.org/tribute-art-911, The lesson explores the meaning of provides a detailed timeline and lesson symbols, and whether they become 9/11 Interactive Timeline plan that focuses on the artistic response stronger after a community suffers a crisis. www.911memorial.org/interactive-911- Social Education 182 Above and below: Renderings by Squared Design Lab. (Courtesy of National September 11 Memorial & Museum.) Lady Liberty. Photo © Bruce White, Courtesy 2010 of National September Memorial 11 & Museum timeline, uses images, audio and video, children-about-911, offers guidelines days, weeks, and months spent extin- to detail the events of 9/11 as the day for helping teachers, school adminis- guishing fires, searching for survivors unfolded. trators, and parents cope with difficult and for victims’ remains. emotions and convey the details of this Webcasts: Exploring 9/11 tragic event. 9/11-Related Terror www.911memorial.org/webcasts-explor www.911memorial.org/911-related-terror, ing-911, looks at the ongoing impact of Online Articles describes other terrorist assaults, spe- the attacks. In the featured interviews, World Trade Center History cifically those by al Qaeda, or modeled scholars and experts express a range of www.911memorial.org/world-trade- after al Qaeda attacks, demonstrating views on 9/11 and explore questions center-history, offers an overview of how 9/11 is part of a continuing global about values, national security, culture, the World Trade Center and the Twin story. and politics. The webcasts are grouped Towers, provides key facts such as the by the following themes—Memory and number of stories (110 each), and year Compiled by Social Education Staff Memorialization; Building the Memorial completed (1973) and other interesting & Museum; 9/11 and its Aftermath; details. Middle East History and Security—and each includes a study guide. Rescue and Recovery www.911memorial.org/world-trade-cen- Talking to Children about 9/11 ter-history, chronicles the aftermath of www.911memorial.org/talking-your- the attacks, including a timeline of the September 2011 183 SPEAKER WASHINGtoN DC SPEAKER photo by Jack Millerby photo DECEMBER 2–4, 2011 Diane Ravitch Rex Ellis Research Professor of Who We Teach Associate Director Education, New York for Curatorial Affairs, University, and author What We Teach National Museum of The Death and Life How We Teach of African American of the Great American History and Culture, School System Join us in Washington, DC to examine Smithsonian Institution the Dimensions of Diversity in these issues SPEAKER SPEAKER SPEAKER SPEAKER SPEAKER Geoffrey Canada Teta V. Banks Lawrence A. Husick Philip G. Zimbardo Judy Woodruff President & CEO, Former Consul General, Co-Director, Foreign Professor Emeritus of Co-anchor, PBS Harlem Children’s Zone Republic of Liberia Policy Research Psychology, Stanford NewsHour Institute Wachman University Center Program on Teaching Innovation ISSUES Registration rates have been reduced ISSUES UrbaN EducatION 15–20% over 2010 rates Teaching East Asia Closing the Register Now! Achievement Gap www.socialstudies.org/conference .